Infilling, outgoing

To the editor,

Something fresh and unusual happened May 1: HRM citizens leaving council chambers after a public hearing and council vote were smiling. I might even characterize it as grinning broadly. It's been a long time coming, but the unanimous council decision to approve by-law amendments to deter further private infilling on the North West Arm is an essential step towards better coastal management in HRM. Dedicated city staff, councillors and community groups should be congratulated for their foresight and perseverance around this issue, as should council as a whole for their leadership in approving these amendments. This process and the resulting by-law changes should now be replicated—having done it once it should be quicker next time—in other parts of HRM where private infilling of water lots is causing similarly egregious public harm and ecological damage. When this happens, smiling citizens could become as commonplace as outdoor patios on Argyle in the summer.